Juhi Chawla: 'I had to win over my insecurities'

New Delhi, Feb. 27 -- She sent hearts fluttering in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1998), sizzled the screen in Darr, and made you all teary-eyed in Yess Boss. Known as one of the most affable actors of Bollywood, Juhi Chawla, is still the girl-next-door with the million dollar smile.

In a freewheeling chat, the 46-year-old spoke about co-star Madhuri Dixit, her equation with Shah Rukh Khan and much more. She garnished the chat with a generous dose of giggles.

A lot has been talked about you and Madhuri Dixit being rivals once, and friends now. What's the scene really like?

I think the industry is so competitive today, and it's always like Katrina vs Deepika or Priyanka. Of course, some amount of competition is always there between contemporaries but personally we never wanted ill for each other. In fact we'd hardly meet, may be once or twice at a party. It's only now that we have met properly, and it's been a pleasant experience. She's the hero of the film, and I being the villain had to take the leap saying, 'Yes, we're gonna make this rock!'.

You've always been this innocent-faced pretty actor. How did you manage to pull of such a sinister look in Gulab Gang?

I really hope I do pull it off ! In fact, I didn't agree to this role in a day. When Soumik (Sen) offered me the role, I was like, 'Why do I even have to think about taking this up?' I mean, I didn't need to stick my neck out to be visible. Then after much coaxing and discussion I told him to soften the script, he did, but then I realised that the character was losing it's edgyness. So, then we went back to the old script and I finally won over my insecurities and took up the role. And I enjoyed playing it. You see, I am the villain in this movie, so I don't have to do much. Mads does most of it (giggles).

Why is your rapport with (actor and business partner) Shah Rukh Khan often questioned?

(Sigh) When you know people for long, you are not laughing all the time with them. You go through various emotions, different situations, good and bad... so ya, differences happen but then you don't linger upon bad times... You brush them aside. So, it's the same with us, and these days people read too much into everything. You sneeze, and it's everywhere!